Pilates for Every Body: How One Class Helped Me Feel Stronger, Calmer & More Connected
I often hear stories about how people got into Pilates, through an injury, a dance background, a physio referral, or some kind of dramatic turning point. My story, by comparison, is wonderfully uneventful.
I’ve always been active and did yoga and gymnastics growing up, my mum’s a yoga teacher, so movement was just part of everyday life. But my introduction to Pilates didn’t come until ten years ago, when a friend simply said, “Come to this class with me.” So I went. No expectations. No big goals. Just a quiet yes to try something new.
And in that first class, something just clicked. Not in a dramatic way, but in that gentle this feels good—let’s do more of this kind of way. I kept going back because I genuinely loved how it made me feel stronger, calmer, my mind went quiet, and I felt more connected to my body. That feeling still carries me, every single time I step onto the mat.
Back then, I didn’t fully understand what was happening in my body or why it made me feel so... connected. But I kept going. It became a little ritual I looked forward to, not because I had to, but because I wanted to. That’s the bit I wish more people knew: movement doesn’t have to be a checkbox, or something you dread. It can be something that gives back more than it takes.
What’s kept me coming back all these years isn’t just the physical benefits of Pilates it’s the way it makes me feel in myself. Grounded. Capable. Curious. Over time, my practice shifted. I stopped chasing intensity and started moving more intuitively. Some days I feel like flowing with energy, other days it’s 20 minutes of stretching, and that’s more than enough.
And here’s the thing: you don’t need a reason to start Pilates. You don’t need to be flexible, fit, or even know what a “teaser” is. You just need a body and that’s where the magic begins. Pilates really is for every body
When the world paused in 2020, so did I. I had time real time to dig into my practice, get curious, and learn more than I ever expected. I discovered how powerful slow movement can be, and how no two people move the same way. That’s one of my favourite things about teaching now: noticing how unique each body is, and making space for you to move in a way that feels good to you.
I won’t promise that Pilates will change your life overnight. But I will say this: try it. Let yourself be a beginner. Take the pressure off. You might be surprised by how strong, calm, and at home in your body you start to feel.
I mean, what if it’s not about “getting fit” or “toning up,” but about feeling more like yourself?
And if you’re already nodding along, thinking I’ve been meaning to try it, this is your sign. I’d love to welcome you onto the mat, wherever you’re starting from.
Olivia x